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English Verb Tenses: Simple Past vs. Present Perfect
Understanding when to use simple past or present perfect can be a challenge when speaking – or writing – in English. In fact, using the past tense is difficult for many English learners, so you are not alone! These exercises will teach you the rules of each verb tense, describe some of the differences, and provide you opportunities to practice. To understand the difference between the two past verb tenses, see the timeline below.
Simple Past is normally understood as a completed event that happened a specific point in the past. Complete the conversations with the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.
Past Present Future
Melissa: Have you sent the invitations? David: Yes, I (1) ______ (to send) them yesterday.
Melissa: (2) _______ (To do) you send the invitations? David: Yes, I (3) _______ (to do). Answers: sent; Did; did
Present Perfect is also used for events in the past, but over an extended period of time. The period can be specified/known (see first timeline) or unspecified/unknown (second timeline). Specified, or a specific period of time in the past, normally uses the words for or since. Complete the conversations with the correct present perfect form of the verb in parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.
Timeline 1
Specified (Known time period in the past)
John: How long have you been here? Lisa: I’ve (1) _______ here (2) _______ about 1 hour.
- for is used for a length of time (50 minutes, 3 days, 4 hours) John: Oh, okay. How long have you played the piano? Lisa: I (3) ______ played the piano since I was 6 years old! *since is used for a specific point in time (Wednesday, 2010, last week)
Timeline 2
(^) Unspecified
(Unknown time period in the past)
Melissa: (4) _______ you shopped for food? David: Yes, I have. Melissa: Have you ever skydived? David: Yes, I actually have (5) ____________ before.
Answers: been; for; Have; Have; skydived
Same vs. Different Meaning
There are some cases in which using the simple past and present perfect have the same or a different meaning. In general, simple past refers to a specific time in the past, whereas present perfect is an unspecified time. In addition, the meaning of the sentences changes when more specific information (e.g. dates, times) is provided. See the examples in the chart below.
Generally Same Meaning Different Meaning Simple Past
They completed the game.
Present Perfect
They have completed the game.
Both games were completed in the past, but simple past emphasizes more a completed past event
Simple Past
a) They completed the game at 5pm. b) Ann was in Los Angeles for 3 days.
Present Perfect
a) They have completed the game. b) Ann has been in Los Angeles for 3 days. In Example A, the Simple Past form means the game was completed at a specific time in the past, whereas in Present Perfect it is an unknown time. In Example B, the Simple Past form means the activity started in the past and finished, whereas in Present Perfect it started in the past and still continues to the present.
Grammar Forms
To begin forming the simple past or present perfect, it’s important to know how the verb forms change from present, past simple, and the past participle. See how each tense is formed below.
Past Simple Form Present Perfect Form
Regular Verbs: add - ed ( walk walked )
Irregular Verbs: Learn them ( go went )
3 rd^ Person Singular (he, she, it): has + past participle Examples: He has walked; Larry has gone
All others (I, you, we, they): have + past particle Examples: I have spoken with him; They have finished
Regular Verbs: add -ed (same form as simple past) Irregular Verbs: Learn them ( go gone; speak spoken )
Practice Exercises
Swing Swang slept slept Taught Taught Tell Told Know Knew Light Lit/lighted Lose Lost Think thought Meet met
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with either simple past or present perfect.
Ex. A: Have you ever been to Seattle?
B: Yes, I have been ( be ) there. I __ went _____ ( go ) there 4 years ago.
- A: Are you going to finish your chores before you go to sleep? B: Yes, I ________________________ ( already / finish ) them. I ___________________ ( finish ) these tasks well over 30 minutes ago.
- A: Have you ever been to Brady Street? B: Yes, I ________________. I ___________________ ( go ) for a stroll there last night. It was very pleasant.
- A: I’m watching a great series on Netflix right now called Stranger Things. Would you like to watch it with me tonight? B: Thanks, but I _____________________________ ( already / see ) it. I __________________ ( watch ) it a few months ago.
Exercise 3: Complete the exercises for Part A and Part B below.
Part A: What's the past tense..... .?
Leave ___ left ___ Read _________
Feel ___ felt ___ Meet _________
Keep _________ Sleep _________
Part B: Write a sentence using each verb (listed above) in the simple past tense.
Example: Bob felt sad because his dog died.
Exercise 4: If working individually, read the questions below and answer them in complete sentences. If you have a teacher or other student available, ask them the questions and write their answers. The questions are in present perfect, but you can answer in either present perfect or simple past. Check your answers for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ex. What have you done today?
I have walked my dog, done the dishes, and cleaned my room.
- What cities have you visited this past year?
- How many times have you been in a hospital?
- Have you ever lost your passport? If so, when and where did it happen?
- Have you eaten at a restaurant this week? If so, which one?
- Have you ever lied about your age?
Exercise 5: Change the following sentences from simple past to present perfect, or from present perfect to simple past. Then, think about how the two sentences change meaning or stay the same.
Example: I have already gone to the movies. _____ I went _to the movies.___________ (Present Perfect) (Simple Past)
- She has written five letters today. _______________________________________.
